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John Felix Anthony Cena, born on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts, is more than just a professional wrestler; he&#8217;s a global icon. His career, spanning over two decades, has left an indelible mark on WWE and the world of wrestling, captivating audiences with his incredible strength, inspiring resilience, and undeniable charisma. A 17-time world champion, surpassing Ric Flair&#8217;s long-standing record, Cena&#8217;s influence extends far beyond the squared circle.
In a moment that sent ripples through the WWE Universe, Cena announced his decision to retire from full-time in-ring competition. This significant announcement came during a surprise appearance at the Money in the Bank event in Toronto on July 7, 2024. He stated that 2025 would be his final year as an active wrestler, embarking on a farewell tour that began in January 2025 and is set to conclude in December 2025. While initially hinting that WrestleMania 41 might be his last, reports since suggest his final match is targeted for December 2025, with Boston, near his hometown, strongly rumored as the location. As his illustrious career nears its conclusion, it&#8217;s the perfect time to reflect on the immense contributions, unforgettable matches, and pivotal moments that define the legacy of John Cena.
<h2>From Massachusetts to WWE: The Beginning</h2>
Cena&#8217;s journey began far from the bright lights of WWE. Growing up in West Newbury, Massachusetts, he was a dedicated athlete, particularly in football. He played as an NCAA Division III All-American center at Springfield College, graduating in 1999 with a degree in exercise physiology. Inspired by wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan, Cena pursued bodybuilding after college before being encouraged to step into the wrestling ring. He began his training in California, debuting for Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) in 1999 under the moniker &#8216;The Prototype.&#8217; His potential was quickly recognized, leading to a developmental contract with WWE (then WWF) in 2001. He honed his craft in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), capturing both the OVW Heavyweight and Southern Tag Team Championships. Cena&#8217;s official main roster debut on SmackDown in June 2002, answering Kurt Angle&#8217;s open challenge, marked the true start of his WWE Hall of Fame-bound career.
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<h2 data-sourcepos="13:1-13:42">Contributions to the World of Wrestling</h2>
&#8211; Global Expansion: As the face of the company for over a decade, Cena was crucial in WWE&#8217;s global growth, reaching new demographics and international markets.
&#8211; &#8220;Never Give Up&#8221; Mantra: His enduring slogan became a powerful message of hope and perseverance, transcending wrestling and inspiring millions around the world.
&#8211; Make-A-Wish Foundation: Cena holds the incredible record for granting the most wishes (over 650) for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, showcasing his immense heart and dedication to helping children.
&#8211; Crossover Appeal: His successful transition to a mainstream Hollywood star introduced many outside the traditional wrestling fanbase to sports entertainment.
<h2 data-sourcepos="20:1-20:25">Most Memorable Matches</h2>
John Cena has competed in countless high-profile bouts that are etched in WWE history. Some of his most talked-about encounters include:
&#8211; John Cena vs. CM Punk: Money in the Bank 2011 &#8211; A legendary match known for its electric atmosphere and compelling storyline.
&#8211; John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels: WrestleMania 23 &#8211; A true dream match between two era-defining superstars.
&#8211; John Cena vs. The Rock: WrestleMania 28 &#8211; Billed as &#8220;Once in a Lifetime,&#8221; this clash of generations was a global spectacle.
&#8211; John Cena vs. AJ Styles: Royal Rumble 2017 &#8211; A wrestling clinic widely praised for its technicality and intensity.
&#8211; John Cena vs. Edge: TLC Match, Unforgiven 2006 &#8211; A brutal and memorable chapter in their intense rivalry.
&#8211; John Cena vs. JBL: I Quit Match, Judgment Day 2005 &#8211; A violent and pivotal match that solidified Cena&#8217;s status as a main event player.
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<h2>Turning Points in His Career</h2>
&#8211; The Doctor of Thuganomics: Adopting this freestyle-rapping persona in 2002 allowed Cena&#8217;s natural charisma to shine, quickly making him a popular, albeit controversial, figure.
&#8211; First WWE Championship Win: Defeating JBL at WrestleMania 21 in 2005 was the moment Cena ascended to the top of WWE, a position he would hold for years.
&#8211; The Rise of the Face: Following his championship win, his character evolved into a more heroic, Superman-like figure, becoming the cornerstone of the company.
&#8211; Feuds with Top Stars: Rivalries with Edge, Randy Orton, CM Punk, and The Rock consistently produced compelling television and critically acclaimed matches, solidifying his main event status.
&#8211; Transition to Part-Time Performer: As his Hollywood career took off around 2018, Cena transitioned to a reduced schedule, making his appearances more special events.
&#8211; Heel Turn in 2025: His shocking turn on Cody Rhodes at the Elimination Chamber in 2025 marked a drastic character shift, generating significant buzz during his farewell year.
<h2 data-sourcepos="40:1-40:36">Balancing Wrestling and Hollywood</h2>
Cena&#8217;s foray into acting began early, starring in WWE Studios films like &#8220;The Marine.&#8221; However, his breakthrough in mainstream Hollywood came with his memorable comedic performance in &#8220;Trainwreck&#8221; (2015). This opened doors to diverse roles in major films and franchises, including &#8220;Blockers,&#8221; &#8220;Bumblebee,&#8221; &#8220;Fast &amp; Furious,&#8221; and &#8220;The Suicide Squad,&#8221; which led to his own successful series, &#8220;Peacemaker.&#8221;
Balancing these two demanding careers requires immense dedication. Cena has managed this by transitioning to a part-time role in WWE, allowing him to pursue acting opportunities while still returning for major events and story arcs. This strategic balance has not only allowed him to thrive in Hollywood but also made his wrestling appearances highly anticipated events for fans.
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Financially, Cena&#8217;s success in both fields has been significant. While his initial WWE earnings were modest, his rise to the top, combined with merchandise sales and lucrative endorsement deals with major brands, placed him among wrestling&#8217;s highest earners. His success in Hollywood, commanding multi-million dollar salaries per film and TV project, has further boosted his financial standing, contributing to his estimated net worth of around $85 million as of 2025.
As John Cena&#8217;s final year in WWE unfolds, fans are preparing to say goodbye to a legend who personifies &#8220;Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect.&#8221; His impact on the wrestling world, his inspiring message, and his ability to connect with audiences across different platforms ensure his legacy will endure long after he steps out of the ring for the final time. Thank you, Cena!

John Cena: A Legacy of Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect

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WWE has released the following talents from their pool of wrestlers for unknown reasons:
– Braun Strowman
– Katana Chance
– Kayden Carter
– Cora Jade
– Shayna Baszler
– Eddy Thorpe
– Gigi Dolin
– Dakota Kai
– Riley Osborne
– Jakara Jackson
– Joe Coffey
– Mark Coffey
– Wolfgang
– Oro Mensah
– Javier Bernal
– Dani Palmer
– Shotzi
<h3>More than 10 Backstage Employees Were Released by WWE Before the Talent Releases</h3>
WWE has let go of several employees in a new round of internal layoffs this week. According to <a href="https://www.pwinsiderelite.com/login.php">PWInsider</a>, the cuts were made across multiple departments, including Creative Services and Photography.
As we previously <a href="https://wwfoldschool.com/over-10-names-fired-from-wwe-after-wrestlemania-41/">noted</a>, one of the most notable exits was Christine Lubrano, who was the Senior Vice President of Creative Writing Operations. Lubrano had joined WWE in January 2021 and played a major role in managing the creative side of the company.
She was responsible for managing all strategic aspects of the company’s creative department. The creative teams for RAW, SmackDown, and NXT reported to both her and Bruce Prichard, with both ultimately reporting to WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H.
WWE broadcast personality Ryan Pappolla was among those released during yesterday’s round of staff cuts.
Pappolla had spent nearly 10 years with the company, beginning as an intern and initially contributing on the editorial side before moving into an on-air role. He became known for his work on WWE Now and later as a host on WWE’s show The Bump. Most recently, he had been featured on WWE’s Twitch channel, hosting Vault Watchalong broadcasts and RAW Sidecasts.
WWE has not released an official comment about the layoffs, but the report said that between 10 and 12 people were let go so far. That number could increase.

BREAKING: 17 Wrestlers Released by WWE

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&#8211; IYO SKY (c) def. Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley in a Triple Threat Match to retain the Women&#8217;s World Championship
&#8211; Drew McIntyre def. Damian Priest in a Sin City Street Fight
&#8211; Dominik Mysterio def. Finn Balor, Penta, &amp; Bron Breakker (c) in a Fatal 4-Way match to win the Intercontinental Championship
&#8211; Randy Orton def. TNA World Champion Joe Hendry in his 20th WrestleMania match
&#8211; Logan Paul def. AJ Styles
&#8211; Becky Lynch &amp; Women&#8217;s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria def. Liv Morgan &amp; Raquel Rodriguez (c) to win the WWE Women&#8217;s Tag Team Championship
&#8211; John Cena def. Cody Rhodes (c) to win the Undisputed WWE Championship and become a 17-time World Champion
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
CROSS RHODES to TRAVIS SCOTT! 😲<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WrestleMania?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WrestleMania</a> <a href="https://t.co/sqdMmJYkpS">pic.twitter.com/sqdMmJYkpS</a>
&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1914146612596662326?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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John Cena wins the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41<a href="https://t.co/DO86trBePN">pic.twitter.com/DO86trBePN</a>
&mdash; WrestleFeed (@WrestleFeedApp) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleFeedApp/status/1914147959085871266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WrestleMania 41 (Night 2) Results – John Cena Becomes 17-Time World Champion

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&#8211; Jey Uso def. Gunther (c) via Submission to win the World Heavyweight Championship
&#8211; The New Day def. The War Raiders (c) to win the World Tag Team Championship
&#8211; Jade Cargill def. Naomi
&#8211; Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight (c) to win the United States Championship
Haku congratulated Fatu after the match.
&#8211; El Grande Americano (Chad Gable under a mask) def. Rey Fenix
&#8211; Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Charlotte Flair to retain the WWE Women&#8217;s Championship
&#8211; Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns and CM Punk in a Triple Threat Match
Paul Heyman turned heel on both Punk and Reigns in this match. You can watch it below:
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Paul Heyman turns heel on Roman Reigns too!<a href="https://t.co/GHXr5Y4QVl">pic.twitter.com/GHXr5Y4QVl</a>
&mdash; WrestleFeed (@WrestleFeedApp) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleFeedApp/status/1913791420550336699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Seth pins Roman<a href="https://t.co/6hX3PO986E">pic.twitter.com/6hX3PO986E</a>
&mdash; WrestleFeed (@WrestleFeedApp) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestleFeedApp/status/1913791636833775678?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WrestleMania 41 (Night 1) Results

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On the WrestleMania 41 countdown show, Triple H announced that WWE has acquired AAA.
NXT and AAA will present ‘WORLDS COLLIDE’ on Saturday, June 7th 2025.
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AAA and WWE join forces to present Worlds Collide, airing live Saturday, June 7, at 3 ET/12 PT from the KIA Forum in Los Angeles. <a href="https://t.co/mLUJcQlgjj">pic.twitter.com/mLUJcQlgjj</a>
&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1913709086077571202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Triple H tweeted the following about it:
&#8220;A partnership that will benefit the entire world of sports-entertainment. 
@luchalibreaaa has been a cultural mainstay in Mexico and the home to many WWE Superstars. This partnership will guarantee that AAA remains the premier destination for wrestling in Mexico.
A special thank you as well to Patrick Dooley &amp; Kevin Rohnke from @TKOGrp for helping to make this possible.
Get ready for these two worlds to collide soon…
The future flies here.&#8221;

WWE Buys AAA

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During an interview with Bill Apter, Lex Luger talked about his WWE Hall of Fame induction, which takes place next Friday. Below are the highlights:
Wanting DDP and Sting to induct him:
“They were asking me about who could induct me and I said, obviously, DDP has been working with me so much in the past and I’d love for him to be out there. But I go, ‘Have you ever had two guys out there for somebody?’
They can spot me, so if I try walking and I start to fall, I can have my two best buddies spot me on my shoulders. There is your money shot. Sting on one side, Dallas on the other making sure I don’t fall.
I’m a pretty brief speaker, so I’ll only be up there a few minutes, speaking from the heart with gratitude and thanks.”
No response from WWE yet:
“I ran it by WWE guys, Triple H’s right-hand man, ‘Oh, I know what you’re going to ask. I’ll have to run that up the flag pole. I don’t know.’ I haven’t had an answer back.”
Hoping Tony Khan gives Sting the permission to induct him:
“I mean, I just think it would be a classy thing to allow him up there. Now, WWE may allow [Sting], but he’d also need permission from Tony Khan and AEW. So there are a lot of moving parts there. But ideally, I’d love to have both those guys up there with me. That would be huge for me, and I think it would be special for the fans too.”
<h3>Tony Khan&#8217;s Response To The Lex Luger &#8211; Sting Situation</h3>
Tony Khan has addressed the possibility of Sting, who is under contract with AEW, inducting Lex Luger into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 41 weekend.
During the AEW Dynasty media call, Alex Hunt asked Khan about his potential reaction to such a request, Khan stated he was unsure. He revealed that he had spoken with Sting shortly before AEW Revolution, but this topic did not arise.
Tony said he&#8217;ll have a conversation with Sting about it.
RELATED: <a href="https://wwfoldschool.com/lex-luger-gets-married/">Lex Luger Got Married Recently</a>

Lex Luger Gives An Update On His WWE Hall Of Fame Inductors

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During an episode of his Grilling JR podcast, WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross talked about Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 19 in 2003, which was Austin&#8217;s final match for 19 years (before he came out of retirement at WrestleMania 38).
The original plan for this match was to main event the show, but it got changed to Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship due to Austin spending the night before WrestleMania at the Hospital due to his health issues.
Here&#8217;s what Good Ol&#8217; JR had to say about why WWE decided to book a 3rd WrestleMania match between Austin &amp; Rock and how hard it was to call this match, knowing it was the last match of The Texas Rattlesnake:
<blockquote>“There was only one option. I guess it is a case where we’re overthinking it. In all due respect, Austin owed Rock a win, and he was hell-bent on delivering it. That’s old school way of looking at it.
Austin had won two WrestleMania matches with [The Rock], 15 and 17, and he felt like he owed Rock that return. Because number one, Steve’s health was deteriorating, as we all know, it is well documented. And you know, the night before that he had his health calamity.
So we were, there’s no other match that we thought about doing. What are you going to do with so and so? Well, we know that Rock is gonna wrestle Austin, period. And Rock is going to get put over, was going to be getting his hand raised finally.
So no, there was never any debate or discretion on who is going to be in that. The only tweak that was made based on Steve’s hospital stay the night before. You know, who’s gonna go on last?
Yeah, out of safety sake and precautions. We decided to put Kurt and Brock on last, because they seem to be the healthiest guys. And so yeah, it was Austin all the way. That’s what the audience wanted to see. You know, we could do Austin win three, could Rock win one, that story.
[Rock &amp; Austin] delivered a hell of a match and, and it was hard. It’s probably the hardest match I ever called because of my closeness with Steve and my friendship with him, to know that this was his last match. And he’s not one of those bullsh*t guys that’s gonna say, well, he’s gonna, I want to, I’m gonna unretire.
I just I don’t know, just he’s just a different guy. When he said it was his last match and he told me that, then it was troubling because I did want to see the company without him, without Steve, because he was so valuable to what we were doing and what we had done, what we had built.
There’s no way in the world in my opinion now, and I might be wrong. There’s no way that I would think that the WWE would have gone public with such fanfare and success if Stone Cold had not been Stone Cold.”</blockquote>

John Cena: A Legacy of Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect

BREAKING: 17 Wrestlers Released by WWE

WrestleMania 41 (Night 2) Results – John Cena Becomes 17-Time World Champion

WrestleMania 41 (Night 1) Results

WWE Buys AAA

Lex Luger Gives An Update On His WWE Hall Of Fame Inductors

Original Plan For Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock At WrestleMania 19